Holocaust Group Gets A Look At Publishing

WOODBURY — Holocaust survivors and children of survivors are invited to a breakfast meeting on Sunday, February 27, at 10 am at the office of the Jewish Federation of Greater Waterbury and Northwestern Connecticut, 73 Main Street South, Woodbury.

Author Rachel Basch will talk about her experiences with writing and getting published and will answer questions. Over the past couple of months, some members of the Holocaust Survivors and Second Generation Group have expressed an interest in getting their  memoirs published.

Ms Basch’s first novel, Degrees of Love, was published by W.W. Norton in 1998 and in paperback by HarperCollins in 1999. The book, which was named a Hartford Courant Book Club Selection, is soon to be published in both Dutch and German. Her short fiction has appeared in Redbook and Kalliope. Ms Basch, who received her BA from Wesleyan University and her MA from NYU’s Creative Writing Program, has taught writing at NYU, Pace University and Central Connecticut State University.

The Second Generation Group was formed almost two years ago for people who want to get together to discuss issues connected with being the children of Holocaust survivors. Discussions range from sharing stories to helping parents claim reparations. Soon after the group got together, Holocaust survivors were invited to attend the meetings, too, so that the two generations could talk, listen and learn from one another. The group has been growing and evolving during that time, and 40 different people from all over the state have attended the meetings, which cover a wide range of topics. There are usually a dozen people at each meeting. The Sunday morning talks are friendly, informal, and very much appreciated by those attending.

New people are always welcome to come to these meetings, which are free of charge and sponsored by the Brownstein Jewish Family Service of the Jewish Federation. Please RSVP for this meeting, as a light breakfast will be served. For more information, contact Debby Horowitz, program director of Brownstein Jewish Family Service at 203/263-5121 ext. 305.